The Lakers would have gone into overtime with five fouls each on Bryant and Steve Nash and four on Howard.

“That’s not a foul,” Bryant said. “They are not calling that … I don’t think I got him. But, you know, that’s a tough call to make, man. I just put my hand there. It’s not like I went out and smacked him across the arm or anything like that.”

Rubio, of course, had a different perspective. He gestured repeatedly to Phillips, chopping across one wrist with his other hand to show how and where he’d been fouled.

Adelman waved his arms about in disbelief.

The Wolves haven’t beaten the Lakers since a two-overtime victory at Target Center in March 2007.

“What do you think?” he responded when asked if he thought Rubio had been fouled. “I mean, come on. First of all, the guy should have never gone and tried to block the shot and he did. What are you going to say?”